Valve adjustment mechanism for internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

A valve-adjusting mechanism for an internal combustion engine in which a drive shaft is constructed as reciprocating crankshaft actuating a connecting rod pivotally connected to the crankshaft so as to move to and fro between a fixed support wall and a pivotally supported wedge-shaped adjusting member extending at an acute angle with respect to the support wall; as a result of the wedging action, the adjusting member thereby carries out an up and down movement which is transmitted onto the valve by way of its valve stem.

United States Patent Altmann Oct. 14, 1975 [54] VALVE ADJUSTNIENTMECHANISM FOR 2,401,480 6/ 1946 Halliday 123/9039 I TE C BUST] N ENGINE2,696,201 12/1954 Bensinger. 123/9027 N RNAL OM 0 2,851,023 9/1958Dsrkan 123/9016 Inventor: Werner Altlmnn, Stuttgart, 2,954,017 9/1960Forstner.... 123 9016 Germany 2,997,991 8/1961 Roan 123/9016 3,261,3387/1966 Arutunoff 123/90.15 [731 Asslgnee nm'nler'nenl Aktlengesdlschafi3,413,965 12/1968 Gavasso 123 9016 Stuttgart, Germany 3,641,988 2 1972Torazza 123 9039 [22] Filed: July 10, 1974 Prtmary Exam1ner-Char1es J.Myhre 1 PP N04 487,135 Assistant ExaminerDaniel J. OConnor Attorney,Agent, or FirmCraig & Antonelli [30] Foreign Application Priority DataJuly 13. 1973 Germany 2335695 [57] ABSTRACT Dec. 21, 1973 Germany2363891 A val e-adjusting mechanism for an internal combustion engine inwhich a drive shaft is constructed as re- [52] US. Cl. 123/9016;123/9027; 123/9031; ciprocating crankshaft actuating a connecting rodpivl23/90 39 otally connected to the crankshaft so as to move to [51]Int. Cl. FOIL U34 and fro between a fixed support wall and a pivotally[58] Field of Search 123/9039, 90.15, 90.16, supported wedge-shapedadjusting member extending 123/9027, 90, 31 at an acute angle withrespect to the support wall; as a result of the wedging action, theadjusting member [56] Referemes Cit d thereby carries out an up and downmovement which UNITED STATES PATENTS is transmitted onto the valve byway of its valve stem.

1,126,843 2/1915 OReilly 123/9039 40 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures US.Patent Oct. 14, 1975 SheetZ 0f2 3,911,879

VALVE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE The presentinvention relates to a valve-adjusting mechanism for internal combustionengines, consisting of a drive shaft, a mechanism for converting therotary movement into an up and down movement actuating the valve and ofa mechanism for changing the valve lift in dependence on the rotationalspeed and the load of the internal combustion engine.

A valve control mechanism for internal combustion engines is known inthe art (German Gebrauchsmuster No. 7,005,077), which includes amechanism for converting the rotary movement of a drive shaft into arocking or pivoting movement actuating the valve and a mechanism forchanging the valve lift as a function of rotational speed and load ofthe internal combustion engine. This prior art installation consistsprimarily of a pivotally supported rocking lever extending over a widearea of the cylinder head cover. The arrangement of the pivot shaft aswell as in particular of the rela tively large rocker arm, however, areinconsistent with the aim to build relatively inexpensive andspace-saving internal combustion engines.

It has also been proposed to set into pivot movements by means of adrive shaft a pivotally connected valve rocker which is supported with acurve-shaped back portion against an adjustable support plate and thusswingingly acts as double-armed lever with the other end on the valvestem whereby by adjustment of a support plate, the transmission ratio ofthe valve rocker and therewith of the valve lift can be changed.Notwithstanding the good and nearly symmetrical valve lift, this priorart installation includes parts which are subjected to an increased wearunder the influence of inertia forces.

The aim of the present invention therefore resides in avoiding thedescribed disadvantages.

The underlying problems are solved according to the present invention ina first embodiment in that the drive shaft is constructed as crankshaftwhich reciprocates a pivotally connected connecting rod between astationary support wall and pivotally supported, wedgeshaped adjustingmember extending at an acute angle thereto, whereby the adjusting membercarries out an up and down movement as a result of the wedging effeetand transmits the same onto the valve.

According to a further feature of the present invention, theinstallation for changing the valve lift may be so constructed that bydisplacement of the wedgeshaped adjusting member, the stroke and theopening period of the valve is changed without the fact that theposition of the axis of symmetry for the up and down movement changesalong in the control diagram.

Furthermore, the valve adjustment according to the present invention maybe so constructed that for the displacement of the wedge-shapedadjusting member an essentially axially displaceable adjusting member isprovided. in order to keep within acceptable limits the wear whichoccurs under the pressure of the valve spring by the parts sliding oneupon the other, the connecting rod as well as the wedge-shaped adjustingmember may be each equipped with a roller.

Furthermore, the support wall may be arranged adjustable to compensatefor the play or the tolerances conditioned on manufacture and may alsobe covered or coated along the contact surface with respect to thereciprocating connecting rod with a noise-absorbing wear-resistant layerof any suitable known material.

The valve adjusting mechanism so far described may be additionallyimproved according to another embodiment of the present invention sothat it can be readily assembled and manufactured relativelyinexpensively. Additionally, the parts thereof should not be subjectedto any significant wear.

This problem is solved according to the present invention in that theconnecting rod during the to and fro movement is supported, on the onehand, by means of a segment-like part against the fixed support wall.This entails the advantage that the roller may roll off freely along thecurved surface of the adjusting member.

According to another feature of the present invention, the adjustingmember which is constructed ballshaped at one end and is supported in apiston, may be held by a spring against an eccentric bolt, and anadjustable valve cap may engage in the slot and guide thevalve-adjusting member.

Furthermore, the eccentric bolt may have a cylindrical eccentric surfaceand the effective working surface of the eccentric bolt may be disposedwithin the external contours of the bearing pin.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide avalve-adjusting mechanism for internal combustion engines which avoidsby simple means the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacksencountered in the prior art.

Another object of the present invention resides in a valve-adjustingmechanism for internal combustion engines which is relativelyinexpensive and enables a space-saving internal combustion engineconstruction.

A further object of the present invention resides in a valve-adjustingmechanism for internal combustion engines which far-reachingly reducesthe wear of the various parts thereof, especially those subjected to theinfluence of inertia and spring forces.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in avalve-adjusting mechanism of the type described above which enables anadjustment of the stroke and opening period of the valve withoutchanging the position of the axis of symmetry for the upward anddownward movement in the control diagram.

Another object of the present invention resides in a valve-adjustingmechanism for the type described above which keeps the wear withinacceptable limits, especially among those parts which slide one upon theother under the force of the valve spring.

A further object of the present invention resides in a valve-adjustingmechanism which permits a ready compensation of play and/ormanufacturing inaccuracies.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in avalve-adjusting mechanism which can be readily assembled and installedwith the use of parts that can be manufactured relatively inexpensively,avoiding at the same time excessive wear of any part thereof.

These and further objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description, whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, forpurposes of illustration only, two embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a valve adjusting mechanismwith a wedge-shaped adjusting member in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through a modified embodiment of avalve-adjusting mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, in thevalve-adjusting mechanism illustrated in this figure a crankshaft 2 isrotatably supported in the cylinder head 1; a connecting rod 4 ispivotally connected on the crank 3 of the crankshaft 2. The connectingrod 4 carries a roller 5 which as a result of the crank movement betweena fixed support wall 6 and a pivotally supported, wedge-shaped adjustingmember 7 extending at an acute angle with respect thereto, is moved toand fro along the axis of symmetry XX. The adjusting member 7 issupported in the adjusting mechanism 9 by means of a pivot shaft 8 andcarries at the free end 10 a roller 11 which acts on the valve stem 12against the force of the valve spring 13. The adjusting element 9 iscontrolled in dependence on the load and rotational speed of theinternal combustion engine by known conventional means (not shown), andmore specifically essentially by an axial displacement thereof. Sincesuch adjusting means are known in the art and form no part of thepresent invention, a detailed description thereof is dispensed withherein. The support wall 6 may be covered or coated with anoise-absorbing wear-resistant layer 15 of any conventional materialalong the contact surface 14 with respect to the reciprocatingconnecting rod 4.

The reciprocating connecting rod 4 which is reciprocated between thefixed support wall 6 and the wedgeshaped pivotally supported adjustingmember 7 forces the valve-adjusting member 7 together with the roller 11against the valve stem 12 when the roller 5 moves into the acute angleaformed by the support wall 6 and the adjusting member 7, and therebyopens the valve 16. During the return movement of the roller 5 by theconnecting rod 4, the valve closes with the aid of the force of thevalve spring 13 when the roller 5 has reached the portion 17 of theadjusting member 7 extending parallel to the support wall 6. Dependingon the control of the adjusting member 7 by the adjusting element9, thestroke and the opening period of the valve 16 is changed withoutchanging along the position of the axis of symmetry for the up and downmovement in the control diagram.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a crankshaft 102 is rotatablysupported in the housing 101; a connecting rod 104 is pivotallyconnected to the crank 103 of the crankshaft 102. The connecting rod 104is supported by means of a segrnent-like shaped part 105 against alocally fixed support wall 106, whereas a roller 107 is providedopposite thereto which during the to and fro movement actuated by thecrank 103 rolls ofi' along a curved cam surface 108 of an adjustingmember 109. The adjusting member 109 is constructed spherically orball-shaped at one end 110 and is supported in a piston 1 1 1. A spring112 holds the adjusting member 109 together with the piston 1 1 1against an eccentric bolt 1 13. A roller 115 is provided in a slot 114of the adjusting member 109, which acts on an adjustable valve cap 1 16which, in its turn, engages in the slot 114 and guides the adjustingmember 109. The adjusting cap 116 is connected with the valve 117.

The eccentric bolt 113 includes a cylindrical eccentric surface 118whose effective working surface is disposed inside of the externalcontours 1 19 of the bearing pin 120. Depending on the control of theadjusting element 119 by rotation of the eccentric bolt 113 anddisplacement of the piston 111, the stroke and opening angle of thevalve 117 is changed.

The support wall 6 and/or 106 may be adjustable by conventional means tocompensate for wear.

While I have shown and described only two embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A valve-adjusting mechanism for internal combustion engines whichincludes a drive shaft, a means for converting the rotary movement ofthe drive shaft into an up and down movement actuating a valve, andcontrol means for changing the valve lift in dependence on at least oneof rotational speed and load of an internal combustion engine,characterized in that the drive shaft, to provide the converting means,is constructed as a crankshaft reciprocating a connecting rod pivotallyconnected thereto between a fixed support wall means and a pivotallysupported wedge-shaped adjusting means extending at an acute angle tothe fixed support wall means so that the adjusting means carries out anup and down movement as a result of the wedging effect and is operativeto transmit the same onto the valve.

2. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized inthat the control means changes the valve lift as a function of bothrotational speed and load of an internal combustion engine.

3. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized inthat the stroke and opening period of the valve is changed by thedisplacement of the wedgeshaped adjusting means without changing theposition of the axis of symmetry for the up and down movement in thecontrol diagram.

4. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 3, characterized inthat an essentially axially displaceable adjusting member forming partof the control means is provided for the displacement of thewedge-shaped adjusting means.

5. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 4, characterized inthat the adjusting means carries a roller at its end acting on thevalve.

6. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 5, characterized inthat the connecting rod carries a roller which is arranged between thefixed support wall means and the wedge-shaped adjusting means.

7. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 6, characterized inthat the support wall means is lined along its contact surface withrespect to the reciprocating connecting rod with a noise-absorbingwearresistant layer.

8. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 7, characterized inthat the support wall means is adjustable for purposes of compensatingthe play.

9. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 8, characterized inthat the control means changes the valve lift as a function of bothrotational speed and load of an internal combustion engine.

10. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized inthat an essentially axially displaceable adjusting member forming part:of the control means is provided forv the displacement of thewedgeshaped adjusting means.

11. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized inthat the adjusting means carries a roller at its end acting on thevalve. 1

12. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 11, characterized inthat the connecting rod carries a roller which is arranged between thefixed support wall means and the wedge-shaped adjusting means.

13. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized inthat the support wall means is lined along its contact surface withrespect to the reciprocating connecting rod with a noise-absorbingwearresistant layer.

14. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized inthat the support wall means is adjustable for purposes of compenatingthe play.

15. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized inthat the connecting rod carries a roller which is arranged between thefixed support wall means and the wedge-shaped adjusting means.

16. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 3, characterized inthat the connecting rod includes a segment-like part, the connecting rodbeing supported during its to and fro movement, on the one hand, withits segment-like part against the fixed support wall means.

17. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 16, with a rollersupported in a slot of the adjusting member acting on a valve stem ofthe valve, characterized in that the adjusting means which isconstructed ball-like at one end and supported in a piston means, isheld by a spring against an eccentric bolt means.

18. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 17, characterized inthat an adjustable valve cap engages in the slot and guides theadjusting means.

19. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 18, with a bearingpin, characterized in that the eccentric bolt means includes asubstantially cylindrical eccentric surface and the effective workingsurface of the I eccentric bolt means is disposed within the-externalcontours of the bearing pin.

20. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized inthat the connecting rod includes a segment-like part, the connecting rodbeing supported during its to and fro movement, on the one hand, withits segment-like part against the fixed support wall means.

21. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, with a rollersupported in a slot of the adjusting member acting on a valve stem ofthe valve, characterized in that the adjusting means which isconstructed ball-like at one end and supported in a piston means, isheld by a spring against an eccentric bolt means.

22. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 21, characterized inthat an adjustable valve cap engages in the slot and guides theadjusting means.

23. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 21, with a bearingpin, characterized in that the eccentric bolt means includes asubstantially cylindrical eccentric surface and the effective workingsurface of the eccentric bolt means is disposed within the externalcontours of the bearing pin.

24. An internal combustion engine comprising: a cylinder head means, avalve means disposed in said cylinder head means, a crankshaft meansrotatably sup- :ported in said cylinder head means, means for convertingthe rotary movement of said crankshaft into a reciprocating movement foractuating the valve means, control means" for changing the lift of thevalve means in dependence upon at least one of rotational speed and loadof the internal combustion engine, a support means disposed on "saidcylinder head. a pivotally mounted wedge-shaped adjusting means foradjusting said valve means, said valve means extending at an acute angleto said support-means, said converting means including a connecting rodpivotally connected to said crankshaft means and reciprocable betweensaid support means and said adjusting means whereby said adjusting meanscarries out a reciprocating movement as a result of the wedge-shapethereof and transmit the reciprocating movement to said valve means.

25. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein saidcontrol means changes the valve lift as a function of both rotationalspeed and load of the internal combustion engine.

26. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein saidcontrol means includes an essentially axially displaceable adjustingmember for displacing said wedge-shaped adjusting means.

27. An internal combustion engine according to claim 26, wherein aroller means is provided on an end of said adjusting means acting onsaid valve means.

28. An internal combustion engine according to claim 27, wherein aroller means is provided on said connecting rod between said supportmeans and said wedge-shaped adjusting means.

29. An internal combustion engine according to claim 28, wherein anoise-absorbing wear-resistant layer is provided on said support meansalong a surface thereof which contacts the reciprocating connecting rod.

30. An internal combustion engine according to claim 29, wherein meansare provided for adjusting said support means to compensate for play insaid valve means.

31. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein saidconnecting rod includes a segment-shaped portion engaging said supportmeans during the reciprocating movement of said connecting rod.

32. An internal combustion engine according to claim 31, wherein saidvalve means includes a valve stem, said adjusting means includes a slothaving disposed therein a roller means acting on said valve stem and aball-shaped portion provided at one end thereof, a piston means isprovided for supporting said ballshaped portion and wherein an eccentricbolt means is provided, said adjusting means being biased against saideccentric bolt means by a spring means.

33. An internal combustion engine according to claim 32, whherein anadjustable valve cap means is disposed in said slot and guides saidadjusting means.

34. An internal combustion engine according to claim 33, wherein abearing pin is provided, said eccentric bolt means includes asubstantially cylindrical eccentric surface and the effective workingsurface of the eccentric bolt means is disposed within the externalcontours of said bearing pin.

35. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein saidvalve means includes a valve stem, said adjusting means includes a slothaving disposed therein a roller means acting on said valve stem and aball-shaped portion provided at one end thereof,

a piston means is provided for supporting said ballshaped portion, andwherein an eccentric bolt means is provided, said adjusting means beingbiased against said eccentric bolt means by a spring means.

36. An internal combustion engine according to claim 35, wherein anadjustable valve cap means is dis-r posed in said slot and guides saidadjusting-means 37. An internal combustion engine according to claim 35,wherein a bearing pin is provided, said eccentric bolt means includes asubstantially cylindrical eccentric surface and the effective workingsurface of said eccentric bolt means is disposed within the externalcontours of said bearing pin.

of said adjusting means acting on said valve means.

1. A valve-adjusting mechanism for internal combustion engines which includes a drive shaft, a means for converting the rotary movement of the drive shaft into an up and down movement actuating a valve, and control means for changing the valve lift in dependence on at least one of rotational speed and load of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that the drive shaft, to provide the converting means, is constructed as a crankshaft reciprocating a connecting rod pivotally connected thereto between a fixed support wall means and a pivotally supported wedge-shaped adjusting means extending at an acute angle to the fixed support wall means so that the adjusting means carries out an up and down movement as a result of the wedging effect and is operative to transmit the same onto the valve.
 2. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means changes the valve lift as a function of both rotational speed and load of an internal combustion engine.
 3. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the stroke and opening period of the valve is changed by the displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting means without changing the position of the axis of symmetry for the up and down movement in the control diagram.
 4. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that an essentially axially displaceable adjusting member forming part of the control means is provided for the displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting means.
 5. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjusting means carries a roller at its end acting on the valve.
 6. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting rod carries a roller which is arranged between the fixed support wall means and the wedge-shaped adjusting means.
 7. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that the support wall means is lined along its contact surface with respect to the reciprocating connecting rod with a noise-absorbing wear-resistant layer.
 8. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that the support wall means is adjustable for purposes of compensating the play.
 9. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that the control means changes the valve lift as a function of both rotational speed and load of an internal combustion engine.
 10. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that an essentially axially displaceable adjusting member forming part of the control means is provided for the displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting means.
 11. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting means carries a roller at its end acting on the valve.
 12. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting rod carries a roller which is arranged between the fixed support wall means and the wedge-shaped adjusting means.
 13. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the support wall means is lined along its contact surface with respect to the reciprocating connecting rod with a noise-absorbing wear-resistant layer.
 14. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the support wall means is adjustable for purposes of compenating the play.
 15. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting rod carries a roller which is arranged between the fixed support wall means and the wedge-shaped adjusting means.
 16. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the connectinG rod includes a segment-like part, the connecting rod being supported during its to and fro movement, on the one hand, with its segment-like part against the fixed support wall means.
 17. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 16, with a roller supported in a slot of the adjusting member acting on a valve stem of the valve, characterized in that the adjusting means which is constructed ball-like at one end and supported in a piston means, is held by a spring against an eccentric bolt means.
 18. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 17, characterized in that an adjustable valve cap engages in the slot and guides the adjusting means.
 19. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 18, with a bearing pin, characterized in that the eccentric bolt means includes a substantially cylindrical eccentric surface and the effective working surface of the eccentric bolt means is disposed within the external contours of the bearing pin.
 20. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting rod includes a segment-like part, the connecting rod being supported during its to and fro movement, on the one hand, with its segment-like part against the fixed support wall means.
 21. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, with a roller supported in a slot of the adjusting member acting on a valve stem of the valve, characterized in that the adjusting means which is constructed ball-like at one end and supported in a piston means, is held by a spring against an eccentric bolt means.
 22. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 21, characterized in that an adjustable valve cap engages in the slot and guides the adjusting means.
 23. A valve-adjusting mechanism according to claim 21, with a bearing pin, characterized in that the eccentric bolt means includes a substantially cylindrical eccentric surface and the effective working surface of the eccentric bolt means is disposed within the external contours of the bearing pin.
 24. An internal combustion engine comprising: a cylinder head means, a valve means disposed in said cylinder head means, a crankshaft means rotatably supported in said cylinder head means, means for converting the rotary movement of said crankshaft into a reciprocating movement for actuating the valve means, control means for changing the lift of the valve means in dependence upon at least one of rotational speed and load of the internal combustion engine, a support means disposed on said cylinder head, a pivotally mounted wedge-shaped adjusting means for adjusting said valve means, said valve means extending at an acute angle to said support means, said converting means including a connecting rod pivotally connected to said crankshaft means and reciprocable between said support means and said adjusting means whereby said adjusting means carries out a reciprocating movement as a result of the wedge-shape thereof and transmit the reciprocating movement to said valve means.
 25. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein said control means changes the valve lift as a function of both rotational speed and load of the internal combustion engine.
 26. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein said control means includes an essentially axially displaceable adjusting member for displacing said wedge-shaped adjusting means.
 27. An internal combustion engine according to claim 26, wherein a roller means is provided on an end of said adjusting means acting on said valve means.
 28. An internal combustion engine according to claim 27, wherein a roller means is provided on said connecting rod between said support means and said wedge-shaped adjusting means.
 29. An internal combustion engine according to claim 28, wherein a noise-absorbing wear-resistant layer is provided on said support means along a surface thereof which contacts the reciprocating connecting rod.
 30. An internal combustion engine according to claim 29, wherein means are provided for adjusting said support means to compensate for play in said valve means.
 31. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein said connecting rod includes a segment-shaped portion engaging said support means during the reciprocating movement of said connecting rod.
 32. An internal combustion engine according to claim 31, wherein said valve means includes a valve stem, said adjusting means includes a slot having disposed therein a roller means acting on said valve stem and a ball-shaped portion provided at one end thereof, a piston means is provided for supporting said ball-shaped portion and wherein an eccentric bolt means is provided, said adjusting means being biased against said eccentric bolt means by a spring means.
 33. An internal combustion engine according to claim 32, whherein an adjustable valve cap means is disposed in said slot and guides said adjusting means.
 34. An internal combustion engine according to claim 33, wherein a bearing pin is provided, said eccentric bolt means includes a substantially cylindrical eccentric surface and the effective working surface of the eccentric bolt means is disposed within the external contours of said bearing pin.
 35. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein said valve means includes a valve stem, said adjusting means includes a slot having disposed therein a roller means acting on said valve stem and a ball-shaped portion provided at one end thereof, a piston means is provided for supporting said ball-shaped portion, and wherein an eccentric bolt means is provided, said adjusting means being biased against said eccentric bolt means by a spring means.
 36. An internal combustion engine according to claim 35, wherein an adjustable valve cap means is disposed in said slot and guides said adjusting means.
 37. An internal combustion engine according to claim 35, wherein a bearing pin is provided, said eccentric bolt means includes a substantially cylindrical eccentric surface and the effective working surface of said eccentric bolt means is disposed within the external contours of said bearing pin.
 38. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein a noise-absorbing wear-resistant layer is provided on said support means along a surface thereof which contacts the reciprocating connecting rod.
 39. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein a roller means is provided on said connecting rod between said support means and said wedge-shaped adjusting means.
 40. An internal combustion engine according to claim 24, wherein a roller means is provided on an end of said adjusting means acting on said valve means. 